Taste The World Returns

by Maddy Pontz

After the first Taste the World walking and sampling tour — taking place this Friday, September 8 — sold out, organizers have added a second tour date on Friday, September 22. 

“Taste the World is a walking and sampling tour of cultural restaurants in downtown Lancaster, PA,” said Timm Wenger, co-founder of Taste the World, along with his wife, Kristina Wenger. 

The theme of this year’s event is especially exciting for our readers. Why? Because the Taste the World event theme is a familiar one: Food is Love! The idea for the event first came from a desire to support small businesses here in Lancaster. 

“In 2008, friends treated us to a lovely meal at a pupuseria run by a Colombian family. After dinner, I spoke with the owner, who said that the price of corn had tripled and he didn't know how much longer he could stay in business,” Wenger said. 

He continued, “The next time I drove past, the place was permanently closed. I thought, ‘What can we do to get the word out to help our friends with small mom-and-pop establishments?’ Kristina and I brainstormed, we contacted eateries, and the first Taste the World tour was launched in May 2009. We sold out (250 tickets) with a waiting list of 40.”

The upcoming, sold out September 8 event will feature ten local food and beverage businesses: Cafe 301 Food Truck, Cocina Mexicana, Himalayan Curry, and Grill, homage: Cuisines of the West African Diaspora, Jon & Maria’s, La Estrella Restaurant, Stroopies, Souvlaki Boys, Sweetish Candy, and Wanderlust Coffees.

Tickets are still available for the September 22 event, featuring nine local businesses: Callaloo Trinidadian Kitchen, Etey's Gursha (serving at Hub 450), Flora's, GEMs Catering, Lancaster Gift Box, ​Jon & Maria’s, Stroopies, Sweetish Candy​, and Wanderlust Coffees. 

“Our goal is to introduce the people of Lancaster to the food and cultures of people from other parts of the world who are now our neighbors,” Wenger shared. “We have had attendees tell us that they have found new favorite eateries, and we have restaurant owners tell us that they have new loyal customers.”

Jennie Groff, part-owner of Stroopies, Inc. and Lancaster Sweet Shoppe, shared that they will be serving their traditional Stroopie for the event — a cinnamon waffle with a layer of homemade caramel in the center. (“Warm and straight off the press,” Groff said. “No better way to eat a Stroopie!”)

“We have always loved participating in Taste the World, and we were sad when Covid forced the event to be canceled,” Groff said. “We are beyond thrilled that Taste the World is going to happen again. It is a great way for folks to learn about some of the delicious ‘food is love’ businesses that are being shared in the city… and to taste some delicious offerings on the tour.”

Mohan Pradhan, co-owner and chef at Himalayan Curry and Grill, said that he is also looking forward to participating in this year’s tour. Himalayan Curry and Grill will be serving Chicken Biryani for the event.

“It is rice cooked with fresh ground spices with boneless chicken cubes,” Pradhan shared. “It is full of flavor that transports one to India where Biryani is a delicacy that is cooked during festivities and gatherings.”

“Taste the World is one of a kind event and we look forward to participating every year,” Pradhan said. “It gives us the opportunity to showcase our signature dishes to a wide variety of customers, who otherwise may not be aware of the cuisine we serve.”

For Laurie Myers, owner and chef at Cafe 301 Food Truck, “Food is love means culture, community, and gathering with love for a variety of food.”

For the upcoming event, Cafe 301 will be serving their Soul Rolls, which Myers said is their, “most talked about item.” The Soul Roll is a, “Southern-inspired egg roll stuffed with traditional collard greens, jasmine rice, and shredded bbq chicken, deep fried then served with our house sauce Soul Sauce,” according to Myers.

“I’m excited to have the community gather and try a variety of diverse food,” Myers said about Taste the World.

Jon and Maria Frederick are the husband and wife team behind Jon & Maria's.

“We have a wide range of food options. From our take-out window, we have more of a BBQ  menu and you can expect a Spanish/American spin on it,” Jon shared. 

“Our catering side is a bit different,” Maria added. “You can expect just about anything from us, from brisket chili to roasted red potatoes and stuffed pork loin, to fun menu items like a taco bar or sliders and sandwich wraps.”

They will be participating in this year’s Taste the World event, serving two options: mac and cheese with Jon's BBQ ribs, as well as their cilantro rice bowl with smoked pernil, topped with lettuce, cheddar cheese, green onions, bacon, and pico de gallo, according to Maria. 

“I've heard about Taste the World in the past, and thought that it was a cool idea to go out and experience new things,” Maria said. “To be given the opportunity to participate in this event is even cooler.”

For Jon, food is love means: “Family, friends, community, and bringing people together. Food can transcend culture and language barriers. Everyone loves good food.”

For more information or to purchase tickets for the upcoming September 22, 2023 Taste the World event, click here.